by Dennis Dalman
Sartell is set to become a forerunner of the future, with 16 electric-vehicle charging stations to be constructed next spring.
At its June 26 meeting, the Sartell City Council approved a 10-year agreement with Carbon Solutions Group to install the 16 charging stations at eight locations in Sartell. A charging station resembles a gas pump, but instead of dispensing gasoline it charges up a car with electricity.
A summary of the city/CSG proposal was presented for council consideration by Sartell Finance Director Rob Voshell. After a brief discussion and some questions, the council approved the agreement unanimously.
CSG is a firm specializing in project developments and healthy environmental management. It is headquartered in Chicago and in Lima, Peru and has numerous independent working relationships throughout the world.
Voshell told the council there will be no cost to the city for the charging stations. On the contrary, the city will receive annual bonus payments from CSG that are estimated to be about $14,000 annually, Voshell noted. CSG will install and operate the charging stations, including any ongoing maintenance tasks.
The stations, two each, will be installed at the following locations: Sartell Community Center, Scheels Athletic Complex, Sartell City Hall, Pinecone Regional Park, St. Cloud Orthopedic Field in Sartell, Watab Creek Park and Val Smith Park. The stations will each have a 50kW (kilowatt) charging point, which will make possible a fairly rapid charging-up time, as quick as 15 minutes depending on type of vehicle.
At a charging station, it will cost a motorist about $30 to “fill” (completely charge) an electric vehicle – one able to hold a 100 kilowatt battery charge. That total electric charge-up will allow the vehicle to be driven about 350 miles, according to information provided to the Sartell Newsleader.
Sartell Public Works Director John Kothenbeutel told the council he had called a city official in Plymouth where such chargers are being installed. The official assured Kothenbeutel it’s a “great program.”
Council member Jill Smith asked Voshell if CSG would do technological updates in the coming years if technology changes. Voshell said yes and that he hopes CSG will do any updates or changes after the 10-year agreement with the city is renewed. Voshell also noted the 10-year contract with CSG is not exclusionary, meaning other companies could install charging stations in Sartell.
Kothenbeutel added there are various adapters that can be used at charging stations to accommodate differing types of electric vehicles.
The increasing use of electric vehicles is one way to reduce carbon emissions that can contribute to global warming and climate change.
There are various types of electric vehicles. A Battery Electric one has no gasoline engine; its power is derived entirely by an electricity-driven motor. Examples are Tesla (four model types) Model 3, Chevrolet Bolt and Nissan Leaf. It takes from 15 minutes to 45 minutes to fully charge such vehicles, and if charging at home, it could be fully charged after being plugged in overnight.
A Hybrid Electric Vehicle is one that contains both an electric motor and a gasoline engine, and its two-drive system can generate its own electricity. There is also a type known as a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle. It is similar to a Hybrid but with a larger battery and a larger electric motor.
